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So, you’ve booked your once-in-a-lifetime trip to one of the most popular cities in Italy: Florence. Now what? Were you planning on staying there the whole time? You might want to rethink that because you can take some fantastic day trips from Florence! Below, I listed the best day trips from Florence, Italy, all of which have been tried and tested by yours truly.
Pisa
Things to Do in Pisa
Pisa is one of the most popular day trips from Florence. After having lived in Pisa, I can confidently say it has much more to offer than a leaning tower (located in the Piazza dei Miracoli/Piazza del Duomo). I spent a lot of my time in Pisa walking alongside the Arno River, exploring the Mura di Pisa (a walkway within Pisa’s ancient walls), shopping on Corso Italia, Borgo Stretto, and Borgo Largo, and eating authentic Tuscan cuisine. Despite its popularity and numerous attractions, Pisa is a relatively small city, making it a perfect day trip from Florence.
I felt safe walking through Pisa alone (even at night), so I recommend it for solo travelers. The people were friendly, for the most part, and the city was very easy to navigate.
College students: beware! Do not count the number of floors of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Local legend states that you will be cursed never to graduate if you count the floors! Luckily, I visited Pisa after graduating college. I will not tell you how many floors there are (better safe than sorry!).
How to Get to Pisa from Florence
The small, charming city of Pisa is one of the closest tourist attractions to Florence. Below, I included a chart outlining all of the potential routes. Guided tours from Florence to Pisa are also available for those who do not trust their navigation skills.
Note: the map above is intended to help visualize the distance, but it is not a route map.
| Route | Estimated Duration | Estimated Price | Why Choose this Route? |
| Bus | 1 hour | $15 USD | Fastest |
| Train | 1 hour and 21 minutes | $5-12 USD | Second Fastest, Cheapest |
| Rideshare | 1 hour and 33 minutes | $5 USD | Cheapest |
| Drive | 1 hour and 5 minutes | $15-22 USD for fuel | Convenient if you have a car |
Lucca
Things to Do in Lucca
Lucca is one of my favorite Italian cities. Once you pass through the medieval walls surrounding the city center, you’ll feel like you went through a time machine; the old architecture is very well-preserved. Lucca is known as “the city of a hundred churches” because, well, it has a lot of churches. These churches range in age, having renaissance, gothic, medieval, and Roman roots. The picture above was actually taken from the top of one of Lucca’s many churches!
Although Lucca is a popular tourist destination from Florence and Pisa, it is not very crowded. Don’t get me wrong, many people were there during my visit, but it was not suffocating as it usually is in most cities. I think Lucca is the perfect, charming little addition to your Italy itinerary.
How to Get to Lucca from Florence
So, my picture and description of Lucca have captured your heart, and you can’t wait to go. Lucky for you, Lucca is very easily accessible from Florence. Below, I have outlined your options.
Note: the map above is intended to help visualize the distance, but it is not a route map.
| Route | Estimated Duration | Estimated Price | Why Choose this Route? |
| Bus | 1 hour and 13 minutes | No estimate currently available | Second fastest |
| Train | 1 hour and 20 minutes | $5-12 USD | Cheapest |
| Rideshare | 1 hour and 16 minutes | $5 USD | Cheapest |
| Taxi | 51 minutes | $170-210 USD | Fastest, second cheapest |
| Drive | 51 minutes | $14-20 USD for fuel | Convenient if you have a car |
Lajatico
Things to Do in Lajatico
Lajatico is one of the best places to visit if you are looking for authentic Italian culture and an escape from the crowds. This quaint, charming village is located in the Italian countryside between Pisa and Volterra. The sprawling, seemingly endless hills in Lajatico are unlike anything else I have ever seen; the world-famous singer Andrea Bocelli grew up here, and this is where he used to go to practice. His family owns a restaurant, cafe, and museum called “Ristorante Lajatico ‘Officine Bocelli’.” During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting his mother; she only spoke Italian, so there was a bit of a language barrier, but I could tell she had a wonderful heart.
Although there is not a ton to do in Lajatico, I do not recommend skipping this day trip. It is an authentic taste of the Italian way of life and boasts one of the most remarkable views I have ever seen.
How to Get to Lajatico from Florence
The rural village of Lajatico is a short distance from Florence, and I think it is certainly worth a visit. It is most easily accessible by car, but other routes are possible. Below, I included a chart outlining all of the potential routes.
Note: the map above is intended to help visualize the distance, but it is not a route map.
| Route | Estimated Duration | Estimated Price | Why Choose this Route? |
| Train, Line 500 Bus | 2 hours and 45 minutes | $7-14 USD | Cheapest |
| Drive | 1 hour and 10 minutes | $15-22 USD for fuel | Fastest and convenient if you have a car |
Cinque Terre
Things to Do in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is a group of five, centuries-old villages (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) with picturesque colorful houses nestled into the hills of the Italian Riviera’s coastline. I have very fond memories of Cinque Terre, and I believe it is a place everyone can enjoy. If you are an adventure seeker, take a 60-foot cliff jump into the marina of Manarola. If you are looking for more of a chill day, take a stroll down the tourist shopping street of Vernazza. Beach lovers primarily flock to Monterosso al Mare, which has the largest and only sandy beach in Cinque Terre. Getting from town to town is very easy; there is a train connecting them.
How to Get to Cinque Terre from Florence
It is relatively simple to get to Cinque Terre, making it one of the best day trips from Florence. However, if you don’t trust your navigation skills, I recommend taking a guided tour departing from Florence. This is one of the longer day trips from Florence, but it is totally worth it; to make the most of your day, I suggest setting off in the early morning hours.
Below, I have outlined the possible routes you can take from Florence to Cinque Terre.
Note: the map above is intended to help visualize the distance, but it is not a route map.
| Route | Estimated Duration | Estimated Price | Why Choose this Route? |
| Train | 2 hours and 32 minutes | $11-23 USD | Cheapest |
| Drive | 2 hours and 5 minutes | $32-45 USD for fuel | Convenient if you have a car |
Other Day Trips from Florence
Of course, there are other day trips you can take from Florence. This is just a list of my favorites I have tried and tested for you. Venice and Rome are accessible from Florence (you would need to take a high-speed or overnight train); I recommend a guided tour if your heart is set on this. If none of the quainter locations on this list are pulling your heartstrings, you can also look into the village of Livorno or Siena. Being based in Florence, there are so many places you can see in Italy. Have a good trip, or should I say, fai un buon viaggio!
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Is Sicily on your Italy itinerary? If so, check out my article outlining Polizzi Generosa, the true hidden gem of the island.
Have you taken any day trips from Florence? If you are headed there soon, what day trips from Florence do you plan on taking? Contact me or let me know in the comments below!
